This blog announces events and opportunities available to educators within the Las Vegas Valley. It does not list all events, instead focusing on those of most interest to the author, mainly events relating to social studies, educational technology, and general education events. The blog author, Dr. Christy Keeler, is available via her website at http://christykeeler.com

Monday, December 3, 2007

Phi Delta Kappa invites you to their upcoming program featuring UNLV’s new College of Education Dean — Dr. M. Christopher Brown II. Dr. Brown's presentation, titled "Educating Millennial Learners: The Shifting Science of Pedagogy," will include discussion of directions for the UNLV College of Education and partnership goals between UNLV and CCSD. In addition to Dr. Brown’s keynote presentation, the program will include an overview of the 2007 PDK/Gallup Poll and a “book talk.” All educators are encouraged to attend.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Teachers: Study in Southern Africa this SummerBecome a Fulbright Scholar

The University of Toledo, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Program, is sponsoring a seminar in the southern African countries of South Africa and Lesotho, June 21 – July 30, 2008. Designed for educators, the focus of the seminar will be southern African political, cultural and historical relations, especially the relations between South Africa and Lesotho.

Participants will spend over five weeks in southern Africa interacting with African teachers and government officials while visiting historic and contemporary sites and sharing professional expertise with teachers and organizations in the region.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Phi Delta Kappa invites you to their upcoming program titled "School Violence." The program features CCSD School Police addressing campus violence and prevention. All educators are encouraged to attend.

There are many new free Web applications that can be useful in and for extending the classroom that have a special emphasis of online collaboration and social networking. Free applications related to digital photos and video, digital music tools, one-to-one and one-to-many communications, mapping, social bookmarking, Web office tools, and even old-fashioned tools like blogs and wikis will be demonstrated. A presentation wiki containing all resources will be shared for use after the presentation.

I received this email message from Peter Fredlake via Stephanie Hartman:

"On behalf of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, I would like to invite you to attend the 2007 West Regional Education Summit, “Exploring the Future of Holocaust Education,” to be held at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas on February 20 - 22, 2008.

This Summit proposes to bring together individuals at secondary schools and institutions of higher learning as well as scholars and members of organizations interested in the challenges of Holocaust education in the West region to address common needs and problems, meet and plan cooperative ventures, get support from other regional organizations, and establish a means to follow up on collaborative efforts. Our aim is to provide support to more effectively meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of teaching about the Holocaust in the future.

This Regional Education Summit is the fifth such gathering of scholars and educators. Previous Summits have been held at Vanderbilt University, the University of Denver, the University of Pittsburgh, and most recently at the University of Texas at El Paso. These Summits have resulted in the establishment of active regional networks, the publication of articles in academic journals, and greater cooperation in organizing regional conferences on teaching the Holocaust. In addition, participants have returned home with a greater sense of their mission, bolstered by new contacts and resources.

I have attached a draft agenda for the West Summit [email him for the agenda]. Though it is subject to minor changes, I want you to be able to see how we structure the three days around conversations that allow us to talk in a meaningful way about issues in our profession.

We would be honored to have you participate in this regional conference. We share concerns about the future of Holocaust education in the United States, and we hope this conference will provide a means for addressing these concerns and becoming familiar with how we can help one another.

We will cover expenses related to your transportation, meals, and lodging for the conference. Please RSVP to Nicole Hanna (202-314-7826, nhanna@ushmm.org) before November 10, 2007."

Thursday, October 18, 2007

For the fifth year HP will be partnering with ISTE to provide professional development for K-12 teams participating in the 2008 HP Technology for Teaching grant program, which will award grants of nearly $7 million in cash and equipment. K-12 grants are available to public schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Higher Education grants are available to public and private, two- and four-year colleges and universities throughout North America (Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.). The higher education initiative is specifically targeting faculty teaching selected disciplines within math, science, engineering, information systems, and computer science.

Web-based applications are due by 5 p.m. PST, February 14, 2008. For more information and to download a request for proposals, visit http://www.hp.com/go/hpteach.

The Hispanic Heritage Art and Essay Contest entries are due Thursday, October 25 (just before Nevada Day holiday) to the Partnership Office. Complete rules and a brochure are available at http://www.lasvegasNIE.com along with over twenty curriculum pieces related to Hispanic Heritage month.

This contest is open to students in grades 4-8 and the organization is seeking increased participation this year.

Four selected winners will receive US Savings Bonds from Ford Motor Company Fund & Community Services.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Three winners will win an Interwrite Makeover™ by creating a music videoof the song of their choice and will receive prizes valued at more than$15,000.

COLUMBIA, Md. — Interwrite Learning, in partnership with TeacherTube,announces the company’s first video contest to recognize teachers andstudents for their creativity and use of technology in the classroom.Participants of the contest are asked to create a short music videoparodying the song of their choice. The video should demonstrate howdifferent kinds of technology are being used in the classroom.

The contest is not limited to users of Interwrite Learning’s products ormembers of TeacherTube. It is open to all teachers and students in theU.S., New Zealand and Australia (still up for discussion) who cancreatively show how they are using technology in the classroom or how theywould like to use technology in their classroom.

All participants will submit their videos on the Interwrite Learning Website at www.interwritelearning.com. Submissions will open at 12:00Midnight EDT on September 11, 2007 and close at 11:59 EDT on October 21st,2007. Winners of the Interwrite Makeover will be announced on Tuesday,November 27, 2007.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 is the kick-off event for the Southern Nevada Council for the Social Studies (SNCSS). It will be held at McMullan's Irish Pub from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be complementary food, prizes, and more! This event is FREE to those who have current membership status with the council (yearly council dues are up-to-date.). It is $20.00 for renewing or new members. Remember, this fee pays for a full year's membership.

Contact Karlye Mull or Karen Sedoti via InterAct if you have any questions.

Monday, October 1, 2007

The Governing Board of the Las Vegas Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa invites all area educator to attend our upcoming program. The program will bring together panelists including a district-level administrator, principal, and teacher to address issues relating to student transiency. The focus will be on describing the reality of the issue district-wide including policies addressing the issue and site-based methods of working with teachers and students to maintain quality education under the circumstances.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers in Clark County School District are invited to participate in the Elementary Teaching American History Grant Program which consists of six independent 5-week modules offered during the 2007-2008 school year. The modules were developed to promote the teaching of American History and improve the quality of instruction in elementary classrooms. Each module will address a specific historical era as well as a unique pedagogical theme. For example, when focusing on Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Era, participants will also learn about service learning for elementary classrooms.

The TAH grant program will continue during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years. While some module themes will repeat, there will be additional module themes added each year of the grant.

During each module, participants will meet in two face-to-face meetings from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 PM at the College of Southern Nevada, Cheyenne Campus. Online sessions, activities, a book review, and other projects will be required during each five week module.

Module One: October 3 - November 2, 2007Native Americans in Colonial Times/Technology IntegrationAttention: Module One is already full

Module Two: November 12 - December 14, 2007The American Revolution/Primary Source DocumentsAttendance is required on November 14 and November 28, 2007

Module Three: January 7 - February 8, 2008Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement/Service LearningAttendance is required on January 9 and January 23, 2008

Module Four: February 11- March 14, 2008The Civil War and Reconstruction/Children's LiteratureAttendance is required on February 13 and February 27, 2008

Module Five: March 24 - April 25, 2008Exploring the Americas/Hands-On LearningAttendance is required on March 26 and April 9, 2008

Module Six: April 28 - May 30, 2008America in the 1930s: Depression, New Deal, and Dust Bowl/Arts Education Attendance is required on April 30 and May 14, 2008

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, participants will qualify for the following:

1. A stipend 2. A video iPod (only one per participant if participating in more than one module) 3. One UNLV graduate credit (optional) 4. Several content and pedagogy books 5. Several books to share with your students

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The Computer-Using Educators of Southern Nevada (CUE-SN) will have their first program of the 2007-2008 academic year. The presentation will introduce teachers to developing their own websites using myccsd.net, a free and easy-to-use tool available to all Clark County School District teachers. Teachers will leave with:

Their own teacher or class website;

Knowledge of how to update, modify, and add to their website; and,

Ideas for using teacher-created websites for productivity and instructional purposes.

Date: Tuesday October 2, 4:30-6:00Location: Las Vegas Day School, 3275 Red Rock St. (Corner of Desert Inn and Jones)Notes: Use parking lot off Jones and proceed upstairs in 2nd story building

Course Description: This one credit class will focus on the basicconcepts, skills, and themes used in the teaching of geography to K-5students. Participants will experience traditional content lectures,hands-on small group activities, and standards-based geography lessonsdesigned to help teachers integrate geography into the curriculum. Dinnerwill be provided both evenings and teachers will also receive LPG’s(Lovely Parting Gifts)!_______________________________________________________________

Course Description: This one credit class will focus on physical and humangeography content and the resources available for local teachers andstudents to experience geographic learning in the field. There will be afull-day field trip to Red Rock National Conservation area on Saturday._______________________________________________________________

Course Description: This one credit class will focus on the basicconcepts, skills, and themes used in teaching US History, World History,Geography, and Government to secondary students using project-basedinstruction and units._______________________________________________________________

Course Description: This one credit class will focus on the basicconcepts, skills, and themes used in the teaching of economics toelementary students. Participants will experience traditional contentsessions, hands-on small group activities, and standards-based economicslessons presented by the instructor and guest teachers and will explore avariety of methods, resources, and technologies that can be easilyimplemented into social studies lessons._______________________________________________________________

Course Description: This one credit class will feature a combination ofgeography content sessions and standards-based lessons that will helpteachers both understand and integrate geographic themes into science,language arts, and other social studies curricula. All seven NevadaGeography Standards will be addressed through several content lectures,small group activities, and hands-on lessons presented by GeographicAlliance In Nevada teacher consultants during Saturday breakout sessions.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Phi Delta Kappa just released its annual Gallup Poll results. The findings appear to confirm that the public agrees with educators about NCLB - that it is not helping teaching and learning in the United States. You can acces information about the poll's on the Phi Delta Kappa website.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

I was informed of a wonderful learning opportunity for high school students this semester. Representatives of the Nevada State Democratic Party will come to your classroom to run a mock caucus. To approach the topic from a non-partisan perspective, students will cast their preferences for pizza or ice cream toppings rather than actual presidential candidates. Below is an excerpt of a letter I received from Brian Hutchinson (a contact person for scheduling a "mockus").

"Since a presidential caucus is different from a traditional primary, the Nevada State Democratic Party (NSDP) is organizing mock caucuses (aka mockuses) around the state to educate citizens about the caucus process.

Students participating in a mockus will experience a precinct caucus, from beginning to end. This includes seeing how much influence each participant can have and how truly grassroots the democratic process is.

Here's how the mockus model works:

Explanation by NSDP staff about the importance of the caucus in Nevada

Students split into preference groups to show support for the candidate (or in this case, pizza topping) of their choice

Viability of preference groups is determined

Unviable groups (those who do not have enough supporters) must realign

Viable group members lobby unviable group members to support their candidate

Caucus math begins and delegates are apportioned

Results are reported

Delegates are elected to county convention (with the potential to continue to the state convention and then the national convention

We can adjust the content to fit within one class period and we would be thrilled to bring a mockus to your classroom."

To schedule a mockus in Northern Nevada, contact Brian Hutchinson, the Northern Nevada Field Director of the Nevada State Democratic Party, via email or phone (775-829-1699)

Note that the Southern Nevada model will be different than that mentioned above. The Southern Nevada model will appear in the form of high school assemblies. Contact your school principal to see if your school is participating.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

This looks like a great opportunity for teams of K-12 teachers who are actively engaging in 21st century teaching. Learning teams share their expertise at Microsoft Headquarters in Washington on September 27-28, and a subset of these teams will also represent the US in Helsinki in November. All expenses are paid by Microsoft.

Those interested in applying should review this flier. Note, though, that the deadline for applications is July 11.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Well, it looks like SB 184 snuck in under the radar after all and has been signed by the Governor. So, what does this mean for everyone?

The State Board of Education must approve the legislation and make determinations for the provisions of the bill – ie: the State Board will determine the number of social studies credits, or courses that a student must pass for promotion to high school. In all probability, this legislation will take effect the fall of the 2008-2009 school year. So, beginning that year, all incoming 6th or 7th graders will be required to pass social studies and science in order to be promoted to high school.

Dr. Robert Green, former Dean of Education, Michigan State University and author of "Expectations: How Teacher Expectations Can Increase Student Achievement."

Dr. James Banks is Professor in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Washington. His books include "Teaching Strategies for Ethnic Studies, Multicultural Education: Issues and Perspectives," "Curriculum and Teaching," and editor of "The Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education" to name a few of his publications.

Dr. Gary Orfield is Professor of Education and Social Policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the co-founder and director of the Civil Rights Project at Harvard, an initiative that is developing and publishing a new generation of research on multiracial civil rights issues. Recent publications include: "School Segregation on the Rise Despite Growing Diversity," and "High School Dropouts Concentrated in 35 Cities."

Dr. Asa Hilliard, Professor of Urban Education at Georgia State University. He has written more that 200 research reports, articles and books on testing, ancient African History, and teaching strategies. His most recent books are "The Maroon Within Us" and "The Reawakening of the African Mind."

Educators to Saudi Arabia ProgramProfessional Development Opportunity for Educators

This is an announcement of the sixth competition for the Educators to Saudi Arabia Program, sponsored by Aramco Services Company. The program, which travels to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is open to full-time Social Studies Teachers and Library Media Specialists in grades 1-12 in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Selected participants will travel to Saudi Arabia for a fully-funded, ten-day study tour of Saudi Arabia.

The Educators to Saudi Arabia Program aims to cultivate a greater awareness and understanding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in U.S. primary and secondary schools and communities. The Educators to Saudi Arabia Program will examine Saudi education, culture, history and global relations through site visits, panel discussions and cultural activities in the cities of Dhahran, Riyadh and Jeddah from November 19 – December 3, 2007.

Social Studies Teachers and Library Media Specialists in grades 1-12 are encouraged to submit applications for the Educators to Saudi Arabia Program. Interested individuals can download an application at: http://www.iie.org/aramco.

For more information, visit our website or contact us at atsap@iie.org

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Kaleidoscope of Early Culture in Las VegasSeptember 29-30 at the new Springs Preserve and Lost City Museum

Explore the history of the Las Vegas Valley from early American cultures to Anglo-European settlers. Immerse yourself in this 2 day cultural history walk back in time.

September 29

8:00-8:15 am Check in at the Springs Preserve8:15-8:30 am Overview: Dr. Linda Miller, Nevada State Coordinator for History Education8:30-9:30 am Journaling by Jennifer Jacobi: Hands on activity9:30-9:45 am Break9:45am -12:30 pm The Cultural and Historical Resources of the Las Vegas Springs: Marcel Parent and staff(Includes tour of site and archeological presentation12:30-1:00 pm Lunch with education specialists, walk through the gardens1:00-2:00 pm Using Stories from the Past to Get Students Reading, Thinking and Learning: Joy Hakim, Author and historian of The History of US and The Story of Science2:00-3:00 Artful Reflection of the Past: Roy Purcell, author of Long Journey to Wikame and Southwestern artist3:00-4:00 Cultural and Historical Resources of Las Vegas Springs (continued)4:00-4:45 Introduction to Nevada Humanities Online Encyclopedia4:45-5:00 Wrap up

September 308:00 am Depart Springs Preserve for Lost City: Journaling practice during the trip9:30 am Arrive at Lost City9:30 am-12:30 pm Tour and History of the Lost City: Native American Cultures, Archeology, Structure, Eva Jensen, archeologist and curator at the Lost City Museum12:30-1:15 pm lunch with archeologists1:15-2::00pm How the New Deal Efforts and Hoover Dam effected the Ruins and the Local Community2:00-2:45 Environmentalism in Nevada: Jeff Hinton, Sierra Vista High School2:45-3:30 Curriculum and the Lost City: Dr. Linda Miller3:30-3:45 wrap up and evaluation/Depart Lost City: complete evaluations and journals on bus5:00 Arrive Las Vegas: Turn in journals and evaluations for credit

Participants will receive a book by Joy Hakim, Long Journey to Wikame by Roy Purcel, lunch both days, admission to historic sites and bus transportation, curricular materials for The Springs Preserve and Lost City, 1 year membership in the National Council for History Education, 1 year membership in the Nevada Council for History Education, and 1 recertification credit from the Nevada Department of Education

Featuring renowned Historian/Author Joy Hakim and Artist/Author Roy Purcell, sponsored by Nevada Council for History Education, and co-Sponsored by the Nevada Council for the Humanities, National Council for History Education, Stephens Press, Clark County Education Foundation, Springs Preserve and Lost City Museum

______________________________________

Registration Deadline: September 7 or until there are 30 participants)Cost: $40Contact Dr. Linda Miller, Nevada State Coordinator for History Education, to apply.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

In March 2008, the Toyota International Teacher Program will send twenty secondary school teachers on a fully funded ten-day study program to eastern Costa Rica. Administered by the Institute of International Education ( http://www.iie.org/ ), the program is designed to expose educators of all classroom disciplines to the diversity of Costa Rica's peoples and ecosystems in an effort to inspire the creative teaching of international, cultural, and environmental themes in U.S. schools and communities.

The program seeks to provide educators with the opportunity to observe, interact with, and understand Costa Rican communities and their efforts to preserve their environment and culture in a rapidly modernizing global society. The program will take place from February 24 to March 7, 2008 (including travel time). Direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging, meals, and all program activities) will be paid by Toyota. To be eligible for participation applicants must: be a U.S. citizen at the time of application; be employed full-time as a teacher in grades 7-12; work in the one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia; have a minimum of three years, full-time teaching experience by the time of the program; and expect to continue teaching at the secondary school level through at least the 2008-09 school year. Toyota International Teacher Program alumni who have not participated on a ToyotaInternational Teacher Program in the last five years (2002 alumni and before) are also eligible to apply.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Marcia Stribling-Ellis is still accepting last minute applications for this summer's We the People Institute. If interested after reading the below posting, contact her immediately at Marcia Ellis or (702) 317-1408.

___________________________________________________Nevada We the People: The Citizen and the ConstitutionJuly 31-August 6, 2006Sierra Nevada College ~ Incline Village, Nevada

This summer institute is directed by the Center for Civic Education and funded by the U.S. Department of Education by Act of Congress and sponsored by the State Bar of Nevada, Center for Civic Education, and Nevada Humanities

The State Bar of Nevada is pleased to announce the sixth Nevada We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Summer Institute. This residential institute is an intensive, week-long professional development program on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights for elementary, middle and high school teachers.

The purpose of the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Summer Institute is to provide teachers with the content, teaching methods, and assessment strategies to help you effectively implement the curriculum through the use of both the text and the simulated congressional hearing activity. Participants work with constitutional scholars such as UNR History Professor Scott Casper, UNLV Professor of History and Law David Tanenhaus, and the Honorable Susan Leeson, former Associate Justice Oregon Supreme Court and Professor of Political Science at Williamette University. In addition, they learn from experienced teacher-mentors who assist participants in discussing the challenges of teaching civic education and preparing for the culminating hearing. They also conduct sessions demonstrating teaching methods appropriate to the We the People curriculum.

Sierra Nevada College is located in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe surrounded by mountains and scenic beauty. Its modern classroom and dormitory facilities make it an ideal location for study and reflection

Participation in the Institute results in a professional development program worth more than $2000 at a participant cost of only $45 (which includes all room, board, transportation, and materials for the week). Participants will receive a personal library of resource material and will be obligated to conduct a simulated hearing in his or her courtroom.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

“Homework on Wheels” is coming to Las Vegas in August. "HOW" is a company, that provides homework/tutoring help for K-12 students in their home. My wife and I founded Homework on Wheels 4 years ago and began operation in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. Because of its incredible success we are opening an office in Las Vegas. We will be looking for college, juniors and seniors, and grad students, preferably (but not necessary) education majors, with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who are interested in working as "homework helpers." Each college student that is hired will: be trained to work one-on-one with students and parents, have flexible work hours that fit their college schedule, be paid $15-20 per hr to work with as many clients as they have time. We are looking for students who: have experience tutoring, are responsible, are role models for our clients, who have a personality that allows them to be successful working one-on-one.

Since all homework helpers must be recommended by a College/University professor we wanted to get this information to you early so you might target students who would be interested and direct them to: http://www.homeworkonwheels.com/lasvegas/ for additional information and an online application.

We currently have professors from Cal Poly, Pomona, University of La Verne, Claremont Colleges, Cal State San Bernardino, and the University of California, Riverside that refer students to us.

Please Note: Jillian’s can validate guest parking for up to 5 hours pervisit in the Neonopolis Parking Garage ONLY and not for the Fremont StreetExperience (Red) Garage. Jillian's is NOT a part of the Fremont StreetExperience! If you park there by mistake, you must individually pay foryour own parking charges!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

CUE of Southern Nevada will celebrate another year of the CUE-SN Multimedia Festival by awarding the winners on May 17. The event is at Basic High School from 6-7:30 PM. Contact Cynthia Ochoa for reservations and information.

Our final meeting of the 2006-2007 school year promises to be an outstanding evening. Following a delicious buffet, the Las Vegas chapter will present awards to local individuals who regularly exemplify the ideals of PDK, induct new members, and enjoy a presentation by PDK International President Dr. John Amato. We hope you will join us as we celebrate Phi Delta Kappa and the ideals the organization holds dear.

Dr. Keeler, the author of this blog, is the pedagogy scholar for Clark County School District’s Teaching American History Grant and an independent pedagogy scholar. Her recent publications are in the fields of educational technology, instructional design, and social studies education.
Dr. Keeler's work is available at http://christykeeler.com.